Callers Overwhelmingly Bash Idea Of State Income Tax

No way, never. Florida should not have an income tax. That was the adamant message from the most lopsided majority of callers since Sound Off began in April 1983.

It was nearly unanimous. Ninety-eight percent of callers Sunday and Monday -- 5,091 out of 5,192 -- opposed a state income tax. Only 101 callers favored the tax.

Sound Off is not scientific, but it does measure the intensity of feeling on an issue. Florida's Constitution forbids a state income tax. The whopping percentage of callers dead set against the tax indicates how politically difficult it would be to get voters to approve an amendment to the Constitution.

''My God, we're taxed to death as it is,'' said Bill Fowler, 54, of Casselberry. ''Every time you turn around taxes are going up.''

''I don't know why this question ever comes up when the Florida Consititution strictly forbids a state income tax,'' said Florida native Paul Simmons, 55, of Winter Garden. ''We've got a lot of Yankees coming down here trying to railroad us into having an income tax.''

Jim Tagg, 59, of Orlando said Floridians are ''taxed to the limit and don't need an income tax.'' If the state needs money, he suggested that Florida institute a lottery.

Gary Baumgarten, 28, of Orlando agreed a lottery may be one alternative. ''Raising the sales tax a penny wouldn't bother me if the state needs the money,'' he said. ''Or how about adding another penny to the resort tax? Let tourists pay for some things.''

Favoring the income tax was Eddie Bell, 68, of Christmas. ''We could do a better job with it instead of relying on a sales tax. If we had a state income tax, it would be deductible from federal taxes if people itemized,'' he said. R.N. Guthrie, 42, of Orlando opposed the tax and warned that President Reagan's plan to reform taxes seeks to end the deductibility of state and local taxes. ''Too many Northern states like New York have relied too heavily on high income taxes. If the deductibility ends, it will have serious repurcussions in those states. Florida shouldn't put itself in the same position,'' he said.

Jim Joiner, 61, of Orlando favored an income tax because it would be progressive, putting the greatest burden on those earning the most. ''The biggest problem people have with paying taxes is what they're used for,'' he said. ''Sometimes it's hard to justify. It's not hard for Florida to justify.''

Martha Swenson of Orlando also favored an income tax. Florida's 5 percent sales tax ''is ridiculous. It can't go any higher,'' she said.

''We need improvements in roads, jails and sewers, but I would rather see the sales tax raised a penny,'' said Norm Revelle, 52, of Sanford. ''Florida is a haven for retirees. They won't come here if we get an income tax.''

''We pay plenty of taxes already,'' said Barbara Terhune, 49, of Titusville. ''Politicians need to cut taxes rather than increase them. They need to use tax money more efficiently.''